The BreadCast

jameshkurt@gmail.com

Spirit-filled daily reflections on the Mass Readings of the Roman Catholic Church from the book Our Daily Bread by James Kurt (with imprimatur). The daily podcasts are voice only, while the podcasts for Sundays and Solemnities are produced with music and other elements. Another podcast recently added: Prayers to the Saints - a prayer to each saint on the calendar for the US. Also with imprimatur.

  1. 1d ago

    August 29 - Saturday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time, Year II

    (1Cor.1:26-31;   Ps.33:12-13,18-21;   Mt.25:14-30)  “He called in His servants and handed His funds over to them according to each man’s abilities.” All comes from the hand of God.  Yes.  Do you see this?  God it is who provides any talent you possess on this earth and “God it is who has given you life in Christ Jesus.”  Not yourself.  It is not from you any power comes.  God has proven His power by choosing “the lowborn and despised, those who count for nothing,” and making them strong.  This is you.  You are nothing; and yet you have all things in God. Brothers and sisters, “mankind can do no boasting before God.”  How could they?  It is He who looks down from heaven and “sees all mankind”; it is He who chooses “His own inheritance.”  It is He who places in our hands the “silver pieces” we employ on this earth – and it is He who expects us to use well that which we have been given.  To Him we must answer for all things.  And if we are “industrious and reliable” in our service, it is He who will declare, “Since you were dependable in a small matter I will put you in charge of larger affairs.”  On earth as it is in heaven…  If our work is done well here, it shall lead to the greater fruits, and we shall “share [our] Master’s joy!”  But it is always His joy to which we come and not our own. God is all things to us.  “He has made [Jesus] our wisdom, and also our justice, our sanctification, and our redemption.”  All that we have is from Him, and without Him we could not live.  And should you be resentful of so great a gift?  Should you return the gift of Himself He lays before you on your table?  Or should you not rather take it up, make it your own, and by it produce fruit according to the abilities He has shared with you?  This is all He expects of you: that the graces He shares with you, you share with others. “In His holy name we trust.”  Yes, “our soul waits for the Lord” and “in Him our hearts rejoice.”  For He does not fail us.  What He gives He does not take back: it is we who reject His love; it is He who increases the yield within us.  “Brothers, you are among those who are called,” and so be among “those who hope for His kindness.”  For His kindness shall but enrich you each day as you make His will your own and find your “boast in the Lord.”  Praise Him for His gifts and for His grace, for by His grace the gifts He provides become eternally fruitful in our lives.  Alleluia! ******* O LORD, enrich us with your blessings as we serve you humbly in this world. YHWH, let us trust in your NAME and in your NAME alone.  How can we trust in ourselves or in the riches of this world when all this is but dust?  But in your hands this dust we are becomes as gold, for we become as you who are so far above this world. O make us your own, dear LORD!  Help us to look to you, to wait for you, to trust in you for all things.  May our tongues praise your NAME and our hands work in your service, and then, O how we shall be blessed!  For truly you will be with us, and we with you. Into your joy let us come, O LORD, the joy that surpasses any joy of this earth, the grace that passes not away.  Let us boast in you, that you are great and do marvelous things for those who trust in you, those who know your love.  From death let us be delivered – into your House let us come. O LORD, increase your yield in us; we are but instruments of your holy love, your poor children whom you raise from the dust.

  2. 2d ago

    August 28 - Friday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time, Year II

    (1Cor.1:17-25;   Ps.33:1-2,4-5,10-11;   Mt.25:1-13)  “The world did not come to know Him through its ‘wisdom’.” “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and thwart the cleverness of the clever,” says the Lord God.  And in its place we find the Gospel, “the message of the cross,” which is “complete absurdity to those who are headed to ruin, but to us who are experiencing salvation it is the power of God.”  It is this wisdom which saves us, even as the wisdom of the world falls to dust. The wisdom of the world tells us to take our rest, to find our pleasure in the things of this life; the wisdom of God instructs us to “keep [our] eyes open” for the coming of the kingdom of God, wherein we shall find eternal rest.  The wisdom of the world has only the torch to offer; like the foolish bridesmaids, it brings no oil for its lamp, for it can see nothing beyond its eyes – its immediate physical concerns are its preoccupation.  The wisdom of God knows that all depends on the oil of the lamp, and so it calls us to find our souls in the Word of God, which is a flask whose contents never recede but rather increase with use and preserve the soul’s burning brightly before its Creator.  The wisdom of the world is “wordy,” is empty rambling with no foundation in truth; God’s wisdom is founded in silence, pregnant with the power and authority of all ages. “The Lord brings to naught the plans of nations; He foils the designs of peoples.”  What can stand that is not rooted in Him?  What has purpose that is not spoken by His mouth?  Apart from Him nothing comes to be or lasts.  And does not the Lord thwart the ideas of the human mind most perfectly in the crucifixion of His Christ?  Making “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” turns the vain strivings of men upside down and exposes them in all their emptiness.  Here is my Word, He says; here is my Love.  To this sacrifice does He call us all, that we might celebrate at His wedding feast and not be barred outside in the cold world.  For indeed all that is of the world comes to nothing, “but the plan of the Lord stands forever; the design of His heart, through all generations.”  And it is His design that we become children of light, shining forever in the light of His wisdom, not burning to ashes in the deceit of our hearts. In the cross all our empty words fall to naught as we are confronted with the truth of our sin and the love of our God.  Thus our eyes are opened.  May they remain so, fixed on this lamp which shines in the darkness of the night.  By no other means will we come to know God and the meaning of our lives. ******* O LORD, let our eyes be open with the light of your wisdom that we might see your coming in the Cross of Christ. YHWH, the plans of the nations you bring to naught to show all souls where wisdom lies: it rests with you and in the Cross of your Son, for the light of our minds is dim indeed without your Word to feed it. How can we even speak of you, LORD, you who are beyond the realm of our words?  We cannot determine whence we have come and do not know when our end shall be fulfilled… and so, how can we know anything?  All we know is what you tell us through your Son in the love He offers. Jesus has died for our sins.  This is all we need to know, LORD, for such knowledge, such faith, will bring us to your doorstep; and by the light of the Spirit we shall be able to enter in – to enter into your presence and so come to know all things by your grace and mercy. Dead are we apart from you, LORD, dead in our sin and in the emptiness of our minds.  But the blood of your Son enlivens our souls that we might come to know the wisdom beyond all ages in His salvation.  O may we be wed to you!

  3. 3d ago

    August 27 - Thursday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time, Year II

    (1Cor.1:1-9;   Ps.145:1-7;   Mt.24:42-51)  “He will strengthen you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Brothers and sisters, “you lack no spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  The Lord provides all you need, generously and faithfully.  You “have been consecrated in Christ Jesus and called to be a holy people” and so “have been richly endowed [by God] with every gift,” that you might fulfill the call He places upon your soul, that by His grace you might indeed be holy.  And so you should realize “the favor He has bestowed on you in Christ Jesus” and “call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” to gain all the blessings the Lord God is ready to pour forth upon you. Brothers and sisters, “keep a watchful eye and [do] not allow [your] house to be broken into.”  “Be prepared” for the Lord’s coming.  Let His every gift be at work in you, that readiness will ever be yours.  Do not think as the foolish and worthless servant, “My master is a long time in coming,” and turn thus away from His light, sagging into the world’s darkness.  Such a thought brings only death and the punishment of the Lord.  For never is He long in coming.  Always is He present to us; ever is His Spirit here within us when we remain faithful to Him.  He it is who is of life and light – it is we who grow blind to His grace and are slow to come to His eternal presence.  Forsake not His gifts, which sustain us at all times. Here is cause for rejoicing.  Here is the reason David sings, “Every day I will bless you, and I will praise your name forever and ever” (revealing thus the newness of life which is ever upon us): “God is faithful, and it was He who called [us] to fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”  No more than this need we know.  For this reason “generation after generation praises [His] works” and “publish[es] the fame of [His] abundant goodness.”  It is this which brings His praise to our throats.  For indeed in His grace He has called us to be as His only Son, and of course He is faithful to His call.  And so by faithfulness all is ours in the Lord, and on that Day His blessings shall be full.  Remaining in His light, growing in His gifts and favors, there shall be no “wailing then and grinding of teeth” for our souls – no, “happy that servant whom His master discovers at work on His return!” ******* O LORD, let us be prepared and waiting for your coming Day. YHWH, strengthen us to the end that we might be blameless on the Day your Son returns; make us your servants, faithful and true, praising you ever for your goodness to us, and we shall be ready on the Day of His revelation. LORD, great are you and highly to be praised, for you provide all the gifts we need as we await Jesus’ coming.  You give us speech and knowledge, and consecrate us in the Name of your Son.  May we be like Him whom you sent for our salvation, that with favor you might ever look upon our lives. As your Apostle has borne witness to your glory, LORD, so let us proclaim your greatness this day, that from generation to generation your NAME might be known and all souls be prepared for your coming Day.  Let us serve you with diligence and with love, never forgetting that He whom we serve loves us more than we could ever return, remembering always that you are the Most High God who has created us in your image, in the image of your only Son.

  4. 4d ago

    August 26 - Wednesday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time, Year II

    (2Thes.3:6-10,16-18;   Ps.128:1-2,4-5;   Mt.23:27-32)  “You shall eat the fruit of your handiwork.” “Anyone who would not work should not eat” was the rule laid down by Paul among the Thessalonians.  A man must earn his bread.  And as on earth, so in heaven.  For who shall come to the fruits of the kingdom if they are not as Paul, who has labored “to the point of exhaustion” for the sake of the reign of God?  This is the “straight path” laid down for us by all the apostles: in the Lord’s name we must walk “day and night.”  It is work which produces fruit. And what fruit will the scribes and Pharisees know?  Their work is to “erect tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of the saints,” those who have been murdered by their forefathers.  Yet they join these “in shedding the prophets’ blood,” thus making the tombs they erect all the more vain; yes, they shall “fill up the vessel measured off by [their] forefathers” by crucifying the Christ, the only Son of God.  And this work they do shall have its fruit as well – it shall lead their souls to the gates of hell, where only the same blood they shed will save them. We will be judged according to our deeds, brothers and sisters.  All is seen by God who looks upon the heart and whose eyes are everywhere.  Let not your works be empty, or just so empty will be your heart, will be your place in the reign to come.  Each day our souls are required of us; ever the Lord seeks fruit upon our tree.  So, if you wish to “see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life,” if you long to know always the blessing of God, then “walk in His ways.”  “Fear the Lord” who holds your life in His hands and do as He commands.  Then “happy shall you be, and favored”; then the fruits of the kingdom you shall taste even here.  And even the death you die and the blood you shed shall not remove this favor – by it “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ” will be fulfilled in you.  Amen. ******* O LORD, let us work for the life found in your Son, and not His death and so our own. YHWH, let us be blessed to walk in your way, to follow wherever you lead – to do your work in this world till the end of our days.  Then we shall be truly happy, for then our fruit shall bring us unto Heaven. O LORD, let us be your fruit; let us be your handiwork, made in your image, living as your Son.  If we can but imitate Jesus, laying down our lives as all your prophets and apostles have done, then we shall join their ranks in the Body of Christ in the heavenly Jerusalem. Your kingdom come, LORD.  All vanity, all emptiness of heart and mind and soul and body take from us – let us be filled with your holy presence.  Your kingdom within us let us know and live, breathing your Holy Spirit, bleeding as your Son… our spirits one with you and your love. Why should we be without you, LORD, when you live at our very hearts?

  5. 5d ago

    August 25 - Tuesday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time, Year II

    (2Thes.2:1-3,14-17;   Ps.96:10-13;   Mt.23:23-26) “He shall rule the world with justice and the peoples with His constancy.” “Brothers, stand firm.”  Be not “easily agitated or terrified” “on the question of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him.”  This should not preoccupy your thoughts because this is not in your mind to know or your hands to control.  The day and the hour are with God alone.  Rather, you should pray that the Lord will strengthen your hearts “for every good work and word.”  This is what is in your power, and effectively accomplishing the Lord’s will thus, all fear will be removed from your souls. Brothers and sisters, be not like the scribes and Pharisees, the “blind guides” who “strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!”  Distracted by the details, they inevitably neglect “the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and good faith” – those for which the Lord calls us above all to be concerned.  And so their vision and their actions are not whole, and they are not holy.  Failing to see as God sees and to do as God does, they indeed become blind guides frittering the life of the Lord away in anxiety for external matters.  Let this not be the fate of your soul. Children, know of a certain that “our Lord Jesus Christ Himself… loved us and in His mercy gave us eternal consolation and hope.”  We must make this hope our own.  For “the Lord is King.  He has made the world firm, not to be moved,” and we must be as immovable as He in our faith and in our work.  We should not doubt that “He governs the peoples with equity,” that in fairness all are looked upon in His sight, and so, that if we strive to do His will with all our hearts He will indeed bless us. Friends, we should know that, though not complete, though He does not stand before us in final judgment yet, still it is so that “the day of the Lord is here,” in our midst today.  His rule has always been and has come to us in this place.  And what we do now leads only to that day – the kingdom should be growing within us at all times.  If we know not His justice and His constancy at work in our days, then indeed we have reason to fear and should heed the Lord’s rebuke.  But if we strive with Him for holiness, any fear itself will be holy and lead us only to the joy that makes “the heavens… glad and the earth rejoice.”  For each day we rejoice with them in the presence of our God. ******* O LORD, make us constant as you in doing good works, in dispensing justice and mercy according to your Word –      and have mercy upon our own souls. YHWH, it is you who judge the earth, who come to rule all the world; your justice you bring to every man’s soul, preparing him for your Day.  And there is no need for us to fear if we are striving to do your will.  Rather, we should rejoice at your glorious coming! O LORD, let us set our souls each day on your Word and your work, and your love and mercy shall meet us where we are and bring us soon to where you live.  Even should we have to endure chastisement as the Pharisees, what should this bring us but a holy joy?  For by such words of truth you make us in your image, if we but listen and respond in kind. All the world shall rejoice at your coming, dear God; let us not be blind to such wonder and glory but set our hearts on that Day, cleansing our souls of every stain of sin by your grace and mercy, by your surpassing justice.  Let no woe be on us in your Day but only your consolation, only the joy of your salvation, which you offer forth even this day.

  6. Aug 21

    August 22 - Saturday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time, Year II

    (Ez.43:1-7;   Ps.85:9-14;   Mt.23:1-12)  “The temple was filled with the glory of the Lord.” Certainly the vision of Ezekiel is fulfilled in the coming of Jesus and His founding the Church, the New Jerusalem, here amongst us.  In this Temple He has “set the soles of [His] feet”; here He “dwell[s] among the Israelites forever.”  For though the temple in Jerusalem shall be restored, it shall again be destroyed, and forever.  In the Catholic Church now does His presence remain.  Through it and through its teaching “the earth [has] shone with His glory.” “Truth shall spring out of the earth”: Jesus is born in our midst and walks among us; “justice shall look down from heaven”: through Him the light of God shines upon us, bringing salvation to all souls.  And it is in His Church truth and justice remain, “glory dwelling in our land.” And “like the roaring of many waters” is His teaching, which comes with power, which comes with authority.  And this teaching He leaves in the apostles’ hands.  As “the Pharisees have succeeded Moses as teachers” and Jesus has succeeded these, so do the apostles succeed Jesus; thus we must “do everything and observe everything they tell us” – the Spirit is upon the Church, which does not teach in error despite the sins of its members.  These must be respected; it is upon these, and so upon Jesus’ teaching, the Catholic faith is founded. And what if some refused to enter into this Temple and share in His glory present in His Church?  What if they did not share the wholeness of His thought or receive His precious Body and Blood, offered each day in the New Jerusalem?  Their eyes would be as blind and their vision as limited as those who quote our gospel today to prove that the Church should not call its priests “Father”.  They would not be able to see that what Jesus teaches His disciples in telling them to avoid “marks of respect in public and of being called ‘Rabbi’” is to avoid having themselves inflated with pride.  If these blind souls were correct, then no one could be called “teacher” either, for this is more the word the Lord wishes us to avoid.  And they would have to condemn Paul for calling himself “father” of the Church in Corinth (1Cor.4:15).  Such absurdity ensues when one has not the wholeness of Truth, but looks only on appearances. Brothers and sisters, where would we be without the teaching of the apostles?  In a word, we wouldn’t have Jesus.  It is from Him their teaching comes, bringing His glory to the ends of the earth.  In this Temple let us dwell, His Word and Sacrament sustaining our lives. ******* O LORD, your Son has humbled Himself to walk among us; the soles of His feet are set in this Temple, your Church – may we follow in His steps. YHWH, let us humble ourselves that we might be exalted in glory with you.  You humble yourself to come among us as a Man; let us be as your only Son and so gain the favors of Heaven.  Here in your Church make your home, in the soul of every believer. And, LORD, let us have a reverent respect for those you place in position of authority, especially here in your Church.  They carry your power through the Word of your Son, becoming as His body and blood with the teaching of the Spirit He breathes upon them.  We cannot disobey their teaching without disobeying you, and so let us be faithful to your apostles.  Then we shall come to know your surpassing glory. What you revealed to Ezekiel help us to know and live this day – your glory here in your Temple bring to its fulfillment, we pray.  In your kindness you come to us, Truth walking in our midst.  The justice and peace of your Son let us find as we follow in His way of salvation.

  7. Aug 20

    August 21 - Friday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time, Year II

    (Ez.37:1-14;   Ps.107:1-9;   Mt.22:34-40) “I will open your graves and have you rise from them, and bring you back to the land of Israel.” The commentary in the missal I read states: “The lesson here is return from captivity, not life after death.”  And so the speaker proves once again the limited vision of so many of our scholars – indeed, how like the Pharisees and the Sadducees and the lawyers of Jesus’ time these faithless are, how blind… how dry their bones without spirit. Certainly the prophet Ezekiel speaks to the exiles of their return to Israel: to these he is sent, and of this redemption they must hear.  But if this were all the Scripture says, what lesson would we take from it – this passage why should we bother to read?  And if this were all God intended even for these scattered children, what an ineffective God He would be.  (As limited in vision as so many of our leaders today.)  For what is the land upon which any find life but the kingdom of heaven?  And how do we come there except through death, the death of our attachment to this earth?  Vain all is if we have not the resurrection of Jesus within us; we must rise from our graves before anything has meaning in life. That the Lord speaks of more than the return to Israel in Ezekiel’s prophecy of the dry bones today is indicated clearly in our psalm, which equates “the redeemed of the Lord” with those “gathered from the lands, from the east and the west, from the north and the south.”  Is it not so that the Psalms, though greatly written a millennium before Christ (and hundreds of years before even Ezekiel’s time), speak of Christ, and even in the voice of Christ?  Is it not Jesus who speaks even to Ezekiel himself?  Listen to our psalm.  It speaks of the Israelites’ wandering “in the desert wilderness.”  It says they were “hungry and thirsty” and that “their life was wasting away within them.”  Certainly they lacked food and water in this arid place – but is this all of which the psalmist speaks!  Do they not rather fail to drink from the spiritual rock which follows them?  Is their hunger not for Christ?  And the “inhabited city” to which the Lord leads them, is it but the land beyond the Jordan River?  Is it the dust of this earth that will satisfy their dry bones?  No.  They “give thanks to the Lord… because He satisfied the longing soul and filled the hungry soul with good things” – things of the spirit, not merely the body. “On these two commandments the whole law is based, and the prophets as well,” Jesus says of the love of God and neighbor.  Here is the Spirit!  Here is the Life!  Here is what nourishes the dry bones and makes them stand upright: the Love of God!  This is in every passage of Scripture – every prophecy, every psalm…  This Word is the lesson we must always find: Jesus Christ is risen from the grave! “From the four winds come, O Spirit, and breathe into these slain that they may come to life.”  May the Spirit of love open all eyes. ******* O LORD, your love bring to our hearts, your Spirit breathe within us that we might stand and praise you in our heavenly homeland. YHWH, you bring us to life by a word from your mouth; speak over us your holy Word that we might rise from the death that has settled upon our souls, that there might be flesh on these dry bones and your Spirit breathing in us.  Bring us back to the land you have set aside for all your children – let us enter Heaven. If your command we follow, LORD, we cannot but come into your presence, we cannot but live forever.  If there be love in our hearts for you and our brothers, what can we be but united to you?  If we place you above all our joys, if we love you with heart, mind, and soul, your life will indeed be within us… for you yourself are love. Breathe upon us this day, dear LORD.  Speak your Word of truth and life.  Announce by the tongue of your Prophet the way we must go to find you.  And let us be obedient to His command of truth, His Word of life, that we might stand in hope with Him, our hungry soul fed by this spiritual Bread, our thirsting hearts washed clean in His blood.

  8. Aug 19

    August 20 - Thursday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time, Year II

    (Ez.36:23-28;   Ps.51:12-15,18-19,Ez.36:25;   Mt.22:1-14)  “Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me.” The Lord desires to “prove the holiness of [His] great name,” which has been “profaned among the nations” by the children of Israel.  And so He determines to “gather [them] from all the foreign lands,” to bring them back from their exile from His sight, and bless them again upon their “own land.”  He will “cleanse [them] from all [their] impurities… a new heart and… a new spirit within” them, and they shall be “careful to observe [His] decrees”: “You shall be my people, and I will be your God.” But when the time comes for the reign of God to be fulfilled in their midst, when all is prepared and they are invited to the “wedding banquet for His Son”… when indeed the Lord would wed the Israelites to Himself by the grace and blessing of the Messiah – they refuse the call.  “Come to the feast,” He cries out; eat your fill of my delights.  But they make excuses and even kill those by whom the invitation comes (laying hands even on the only Son).  And so the chosen city having rejected His offer, the Lord tells His servants to “go out into the byroads and invite to the wedding anyone [they] come upon.”  So do the apostles preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth; so are all now called to the wedding feast.  But will all be prepared? To “the chief priests and elders of the people” Jesus addresses His parable of the wedding banquet today, for it is these who refuse to hear Him – it is they who reject the call of the Lord.  And so, indeed, to the nations does His voice go; the Gentiles now hear the call.  And we, we who though founded firmly upon the rock of Judaism are in such great number of Gentile races, do we heed the call of the Lord and prepare our hearts to receive His food?  We are now the chosen city and the banquet table is now spread before us each day: His Body and Blood is the greatest food of which we could ever hope to partake.  But have we the wedding garment necessary to remain in His banquet hall, in His Church, or do we wander in ignorance of the gift and graces before us? Brothers and sisters, we must pray not to be cast from the Lord’s holy presence.  We must seek the purity of heart we need to receive His blessing, to partake of the food of His altar and grow in His grace.  We shall only avoid being thrown “out into the night” if we nurture the light that is with us and prepare well to meet our Jesus.  Only then will the Holy Spirit here remain. ******* O LORD, made pure in Jesus’ cleansing blood may we rejoice with Him in your kingdom. YHWH, you invite us to your wedding banquet, you call us to the feast prepared by your own hands, for you would wed yourself to us, making us your own holy children.  But we must turn from our sins; with contrite hearts only can we approach your table and feed upon the Body of your Son.  How shall we find our heavenly homeland if not cleansed in His blood?  How shall we celebrate your glory if not renewed by your Spirit? O LORD, bring us back to our own land, that with you we might dwell for eternity.  Your light and your love make our own; you alone let us worship.  Into your Temple let us come, that we might feast upon your Word, and upon your Son’s Body and Blood.  Then what would we be but your children?  What would we be but one with you? A white wedding garment of purity provide for our souls, dear LORD, that we might not be cast from your presence but glory in you forevermore.

About

Spirit-filled daily reflections on the Mass Readings of the Roman Catholic Church from the book Our Daily Bread by James Kurt (with imprimatur). The daily podcasts are voice only, while the podcasts for Sundays and Solemnities are produced with music and other elements. Another podcast recently added: Prayers to the Saints - a prayer to each saint on the calendar for the US. Also with imprimatur.